Program for Allocation of Regulatory Responsibilities Pursuant to Rule 17d-2; Notice of Filing and Order Approving and Declaring Effective a Revised Plan for Allocation of Regulatory Responsibilities Between NYSE Arca, Inc. and the National Association of Securities Dealers, Inc., 14628-14629 [E7-5637]

Download as PDF 14628 Federal Register / Vol. 72, No. 59 / Wednesday, March 28, 2007 / Notices Administration. Therefore, the public service pension (PSP) provisions apply to RRA annuities. RRB Regulations pertaining to the collection of evidence relating to public service pensions or worker’s compensation paid to spouse or survivor applicants or annuitants are found in 20 CFR 219.64c. The RRB utilizes Form G–208, Public Service Pension Questionnaire, and Form G–212, Public Service Monitoring Questionnaire, to obtain information used to determine whether an annuity reduction is in order. The RRB proposes no changes to Form G–208. Non-burden impacting editorial and formatting changes are proposed to Form G–212. Completion of the forms is voluntary. However, failure to complete the forms could result in the nonpayment of benefits. One response is requested of each respondent. The completion time for the G–208 is estimated at 16 minutes and the G–212 is estimated at 15 minutes. The RRB estimates that approximately 70 Form G–208’s and 1,100 Form G–212’s are completed annually. Additional Information or Comments: To request more information or to obtain a copy of the information collection justification, forms, and/or supporting material, please call the RRB Clearance Officer at (312) 751–3363 or send an e-mail request to Charles.Mierzwa@RRB.GOV. Comments regarding the information collection should be addressed to Ronald J. Hodapp, Railroad Retirement Board, 844 North Rush Street, Chicago, Illinois 60611–2092 or send an e-mail to Ronald.Hodapp@RRB.GOV. Written comments should be received within 60 days of this notice. Charles Mierzwa, Clearance Officer. [FR Doc. E7–5632 Filed 3–27–07; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 7905–01–P SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION Proposed Collection; Comment Request sroberts on PROD1PC70 with NOTICES Upon Written Request, Copies Available From: Securities and Exchange Commission, Office of Filings and Information Services, Washington, DC 20549. Extension: Form F–6, OMB Control No. 3235–0292, SEC File No. 270–270. Notice is hereby given that, pursuant to the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995 (44 U.S.C. 3501 et seq.) the Securities VerDate Aug<31>2005 17:09 Mar 27, 2007 Jkt 211001 and Exchange Commission (‘‘Commission’’) is soliciting comments on the collection of information summarized below. The Commission plans to submit this existing collection of information to the Office of Management and Budget for approval. The Commission under Section 19 of the Securities Act of 1933 (15 U.S.C. 77a et seq.) established Form F–6 (17 CFR 239.36) for registration of American Depositary Receipts (ADRs) of foreign companies. Form F–6 requires disclosure of information regarding the terms of the depository bank, fees charged, and a description of the ADRs. No special information regarding the foreign company is required to be prepared or disclosed, although the foreign company must be one which periodically furnishes information to the Commission. The information is needed to ensure that investors in ADRs have full disclosure of information concerning the deposit agreement and the foreign company. Form F–6 takes approximately 1 hour per response to prepare and is filed by 150 respondents annually. We estimate that 25% of the 1 hour per response (.25 hours) is prepared by the filer for a total annual reporting burden of 37.5 hours (.25 hours per response × 150 responses). Written comments are invited on: (a) Whether the proposed collection of information is necessary for the proper performance of the functions of the agency, including whether the information will have practical utility; (b) the accuracy of the agency’s estimate of the burden imposed by the collection of information; (c) ways to enhance the quality, utility, and clarity of the information collected; and (d) ways to minimize the burden of the collection of information on respondents, including through the use of automated collection techniques or other forms of information technology. Consideration will be given to comments and suggestions submitted in writing within 60 days of this publication. Please direct your written comments to R. Corey Booth, Director/Chief Information Officer, Securities and Exchange Commission, c/o Shirley Martinson, 6432 General Green Way, Alexandria, VA 22312; or send an email to: PRA_Mailbox@sec.gov. Dated: March 21, 2007. Florence E. Harmon, Deputy Secretary. [FR Doc. E7–5592 Filed 3–27–07; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 8010–01–P PO 00000 Frm 00114 Fmt 4703 Sfmt 4703 SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION [Release No. 34–55505; File No. 4–523] Program for Allocation of Regulatory Responsibilities Pursuant to Rule 17d– 2; Notice of Filing and Order Approving and Declaring Effective a Revised Plan for Allocation of Regulatory Responsibilities Between NYSE Arca, Inc. and the National Association of Securities Dealers, Inc. March 22, 2007. Pursuant to Sections 17(d) 1 and 11A(a)(3)(B) 2 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (‘‘Act’’), the Securities and Exchange Commission (‘‘Commission’’) is hereby providing notice of filing and issuing an order granting approval and declaring effective a revised plan for the allocation of regulatory responsibilities dated February 9, 2007 (‘‘Revised Plan’’) that was filed pursuant to Rule 17d–2 under the Act3 by NYSE Arca, Inc. (‘‘NYSE Arca’’) and the National Association of Securities Dealers, Inc. (‘‘NASD’’) (together with the NYSE Arca, the ‘‘Parties’’). The Revised Plan replaces and supersedes the agreement entered into between the Parties on July 25, 2006 (‘‘July 2006 Plan’’)4 in its entirety. The Revised Plan, which makes minor changes to the July 2006 Plan, does not fundamentally alter the allocation of regulatory responsibilities between the Parties.5 Accordingly, in addition to the regulatory responsibility it has under the Act, NASD shall retain the regulatory responsibilities allocated to it under the Revised Plan. At the same time, NYSE Arca continues to be relieved of those regulatory responsibilities allocated to NASD under the Revised Plan. I. Introduction Section 19(g)(1) of the Act,6 among other things, requires every selfregulatory organization (‘‘SRO’’) registered as either a national securities exchange or registered securities association to examine for, and enforce compliance by, its members and persons associated with its members with the Act, the rules and regulations thereunder, and the SRO’s own rules, unless the SRO is relieved of this 1 15 U.S.C. 78q(d). U.S.C. 78k–1(a)(3)(B). 3 17 CFR 240.17d–2. 4 See Securities Exchange Act Release Nos. 54224 (July 27, 2006), 71 FR 43823 (August 2, 2006) (notice) and 54394 (August 31, 2006), 71 FR 52827 (September 7, 2006) (order). 5 The text of the Revised Plan is available at the principal offices of NYSE Arca and NASD and at the Commission’s Public Reference Room. 6 15 U.S.C. 78s(g)(1). 2 15 E:\FR\FM\28MRN1.SGM 28MRN1 Federal Register / Vol. 72, No. 59 / Wednesday, March 28, 2007 / Notices responsibility pursuant to Section 17(d) 7 or 19(g)(2) 8 of the Act. Section 17(d)(1) of the Act9 was intended, in part, to eliminate unnecessary multiple examinations and regulatory duplication for those broker-dealers that maintain memberships in more than one SRO (‘‘common members’’).10 With respect to a common member, Section 17(d)(1) authorizes the Commission, by rule or order, to relieve an SRO of the responsibility to receive regulatory reports, to examine for and enforce compliance with applicable statutes, rules, and regulations, or to perform other specified regulatory functions. To implement Section 17(d)(1), the Commission adopted two rules: Rule 17d–111 and Rule 17d–2 under the Act.12 Rule 17d–2 permits SROs to propose joint plans for the allocation of regulatory responsibilities, other than financial responsibility rules, with respect to their common members. Under paragraph (c) of Rule 17d–2, the Commission may declare such a plan effective if, after providing for appropriate notice and comment, it determines that the plan is necessary or appropriate in the public interest and for the protection of investors, to foster cooperation and coordination among the SROs, to remove impediments to, and foster the development of, a national market system and a national clearance and settlement system, and is in conformity with the factors set forth in Section 17(d) of the Act. Upon effectiveness of a plan filed pursuant to Rule 17d–2, an SRO is relieved of those regulatory responsibilities for common members that are allocated by the plan to another SRO. The Revised Plan, which makes minor changes to the July 2006 Plan (and replaces and supersedes the July 2006 Plan in its entirety), is intended to reduce regulatory duplication for firms that are common members of NYSE Arca and NASD. Except as noted immediately below, the Revised Plan retains the same allocation of regulatory responsibilities among the Parties with respect to common members as the July 2006 Plan. In particular, the Revised 7 15 U.S.C. 78q(d). U.S.C. 78s(g)(2). 9 15 U.S.C. 78q(d)(1). 10 See Securities Act Amendments of 1975, Report of the Senate Committee on Banking, Housing, and Urban Affairs to Accompany S. 249, S. Rep. No. 94–75, 94th Cong., 1st Session 32 (1975). 11 17 CFR 240.17d–1. Rule 17d–1 authorizes the Commission to name a single SRO as the designated examining authority (‘‘DEA’’) to examine common members for compliance with the financial responsibility requirements imposed by the Act, or by Commission or SRO rules. 12 17 CFR 240.17d–2. sroberts on PROD1PC70 with NOTICES 8 15 VerDate Aug<31>2005 17:09 Mar 27, 2007 Jkt 211001 Plan: (1) Eliminates paragraph 11 of the July 2006 Plan that allocated to NASD the responsibility to receive and act upon requests for extension of time pursuant to Federal Reserve Regulation T and Rule 15c3–3 under the Act, since the monitoring of such requirements is the obligation of a member’s DEA as provided by Rule 17d–1 under the Act; 13 (2) changes from ‘‘monthly’’ to ‘‘upon request’’ the obligation of NASD to share information with NYSE Arca regarding notice of changes in allied members, partners, officers, registered personnel and other persons, and the opening, address change, and termination of main and branch offices and the names of branch office managers; 14 and (3) makes other technical and formatting changes, such as renumbering paragraphs and reformatting headings. Included in the Revised Plan is an attachment (‘‘NYSE Arca Rules Certification for 17d–2 Agreement with NASD,’’ referred to herein as the ‘‘Certification’’) that lists every NYSE Arca rule and federal securities law, rule and regulation thereunder for which, under the Revised Plan, NASD would bear responsibility for examining, and enforcing compliance by, common members. No changes to the Certification are proposed in the Revised Plan. II. Discussion The Commission finds that the Revised Plan is consistent with the factors set forth in Section 17(d) of the Act 15 and Rule 17d–2(c) thereunder 16 in that the Revised Plan is necessary or appropriate in the public interest and for the protection of investors, fosters cooperation and coordination among SROs, and removes impediments to and fosters the development of the national market system. In particular, the Revised Plan makes minor changes to the July 2006 Plan and does not fundamentally alter the allocation of 13 17 CFR 240.17d–1. Further, NYSE Arca represents that it currently does not serve as the DEA for any firms that hold or carry customer accounts, and therefore does not currently perform any duties pursuant to Regulation T and Rule 15c3– 3 with respect to considering requests for extension of time. See Telephone conversation between Greg O’Connor, Director, NYSE Group, Inc., and Richard Holley III, Special Counsel, Division of Market Regulation, Commission, on March 16, 2007. Additionally, Paragraph 2(c) of the July 2006 Plan, as well as the Revised Plan, provides that NYSE Arca retains full responsibility for the discharge of its DEA duties and obligations. Accordingly, NASD did not undertake any responsibilities pursuant to paragraph 11 of the July 2006 Plan and the Parties consider the deletion of paragraph 11 to be a nonmaterial change. See id. 14 See Paragraph 7 of the Revised Plan. 15 15 U.S.C. 78q(d). 16 17 CFR 240.17d 2(c). PO 00000 Frm 00115 Fmt 4703 Sfmt 4703 14629 regulatory responsibilities between the Parties that was contained in the July 2006 Plan. Additionally, no changes to the Certification are proposed in the Revised Plan. As was the case for the July 2006 Plan, the Commission continues to believe that the Revised Plan could reduce unnecessary regulatory duplication by allocating to NASD certain responsibilities for common members that would otherwise be performed by both NYSE Arca and NASD. Accordingly, the Revised Plan should promote efficiency by reducing costs to common members. Furthermore, because NYSE Arca and NASD will coordinate their regulatory functions in accordance with the Revised Plan, the Revised Plan should promote investor protection. The Commission is hereby declaring effective and approving a plan that, among other things, allocates regulatory responsibility to NASD for the oversight and enforcement of all NYSE Arca rules that are substantially similar to the rules of the NASD for common members of NYSE Arca and NASD. III. Conclusion This Order gives effect to the Revised Plan filed with the Commission in File No. 4–523. The Parties shall notify all members affected by the Revised Plan of their rights and obligations under the Revised Plan. It is therefore ordered, pursuant to Sections 17(d) and 11A(a)(3)(B) of the Act, that the Revised Plan in File No. 4– 523, between NYSE Arca and NASD, filed pursuant to Rule 17d–2 under the Act, is approved and declared effective. It is therefore ordered that NYSE Arca is relieved of those responsibilities allocated to NASD under the Revised Plan in File No. 4–523. For the Commission, by the Division of Market Regulation, pursuant to delegated authority. 17 Florence E. Harmon, Deputy Secretary. [FR Doc. E7–5637 Filed 3–27–07; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 8010–01–P 17 17 E:\FR\FM\28MRN1.SGM CFR 200.30–3(a)(34). 28MRN1

Agencies

[Federal Register Volume 72, Number 59 (Wednesday, March 28, 2007)]
[Notices]
[Pages 14628-14629]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: E7-5637]


-----------------------------------------------------------------------

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

[Release No. 34-55505; File No. 4-523]


Program for Allocation of Regulatory Responsibilities Pursuant to 
Rule 17d-2; Notice of Filing and Order Approving and Declaring 
Effective a Revised Plan for Allocation of Regulatory Responsibilities 
Between NYSE Arca, Inc. and the National Association of Securities 
Dealers, Inc.

March 22, 2007.
    Pursuant to Sections 17(d) \1\ and 11A(a)(3)(B) \2\ of the 
Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (``Act''), the Securities and Exchange 
Commission (``Commission'') is hereby providing notice of filing and 
issuing an order granting approval and declaring effective a revised 
plan for the allocation of regulatory responsibilities dated February 
9, 2007 (``Revised Plan'') that was filed pursuant to Rule 17d-2 under 
the Act\3\ by NYSE Arca, Inc. (``NYSE Arca'') and the National 
Association of Securities Dealers, Inc. (``NASD'') (together with the 
NYSE Arca, the ``Parties''). The Revised Plan replaces and supersedes 
the agreement entered into between the Parties on July 25, 2006 (``July 
2006 Plan'')\4\ in its entirety. The Revised Plan, which makes minor 
changes to the July 2006 Plan, does not fundamentally alter the 
allocation of regulatory responsibilities between the Parties.\5\ 
Accordingly, in addition to the regulatory responsibility it has under 
the Act, NASD shall retain the regulatory responsibilities allocated to 
it under the Revised Plan. At the same time, NYSE Arca continues to be 
relieved of those regulatory responsibilities allocated to NASD under 
the Revised Plan.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \1\ 15 U.S.C. 78q(d).
    \2\ 15 U.S.C. 78k-1(a)(3)(B).
    \3\ 17 CFR 240.17d-2.
    \4\ See Securities Exchange Act Release Nos. 54224 (July 27, 
2006), 71 FR 43823 (August 2, 2006) (notice) and 54394 (August 31, 
2006), 71 FR 52827 (September 7, 2006) (order).
    \5\ The text of the Revised Plan is available at the principal 
offices of NYSE Arca and NASD and at the Commission's Public 
Reference Room.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

I. Introduction

    Section 19(g)(1) of the Act,\6\ among other things, requires every 
self-regulatory organization (``SRO'') registered as either a national 
securities exchange or registered securities association to examine 
for, and enforce compliance by, its members and persons associated with 
its members with the Act, the rules and regulations thereunder, and the 
SRO's own rules, unless the SRO is relieved of this

[[Page 14629]]

responsibility pursuant to Section 17(d) \7\ or 19(g)(2) \8\ of the 
Act. Section 17(d)(1) of the Act\9\ was intended, in part, to eliminate 
unnecessary multiple examinations and regulatory duplication for those 
broker-dealers that maintain memberships in more than one SRO (``common 
members'').\10\ With respect to a common member, Section 17(d)(1) 
authorizes the Commission, by rule or order, to relieve an SRO of the 
responsibility to receive regulatory reports, to examine for and 
enforce compliance with applicable statutes, rules, and regulations, or 
to perform other specified regulatory functions.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \6\ 15 U.S.C. 78s(g)(1).
    \7\ 15 U.S.C. 78q(d).
    \8\ 15 U.S.C. 78s(g)(2).
    \9\ 15 U.S.C. 78q(d)(1).
    \10\ See Securities Act Amendments of 1975, Report of the Senate 
Committee on Banking, Housing, and Urban Affairs to Accompany S. 
249, S. Rep. No. 94-75, 94th Cong., 1st Session 32 (1975).
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    To implement Section 17(d)(1), the Commission adopted two rules: 
Rule 17d-1\11\ and Rule 17d-2 under the Act.\12\ Rule 17d-2 permits 
SROs to propose joint plans for the allocation of regulatory 
responsibilities, other than financial responsibility rules, with 
respect to their common members. Under paragraph (c) of Rule 17d-2, the 
Commission may declare such a plan effective if, after providing for 
appropriate notice and comment, it determines that the plan is 
necessary or appropriate in the public interest and for the protection 
of investors, to foster cooperation and coordination among the SROs, to 
remove impediments to, and foster the development of, a national market 
system and a national clearance and settlement system, and is in 
conformity with the factors set forth in Section 17(d) of the Act. Upon 
effectiveness of a plan filed pursuant to Rule 17d-2, an SRO is 
relieved of those regulatory responsibilities for common members that 
are allocated by the plan to another SRO.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \11\ 17 CFR 240.17d-1. Rule 17d-1 authorizes the Commission to 
name a single SRO as the designated examining authority (``DEA'') to 
examine common members for compliance with the financial 
responsibility requirements imposed by the Act, or by Commission or 
SRO rules.
    \12\ 17 CFR 240.17d-2.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    The Revised Plan, which makes minor changes to the July 2006 Plan 
(and replaces and supersedes the July 2006 Plan in its entirety), is 
intended to reduce regulatory duplication for firms that are common 
members of NYSE Arca and NASD. Except as noted immediately below, the 
Revised Plan retains the same allocation of regulatory responsibilities 
among the Parties with respect to common members as the July 2006 Plan. 
In particular, the Revised Plan: (1) Eliminates paragraph 11 of the 
July 2006 Plan that allocated to NASD the responsibility to receive and 
act upon requests for extension of time pursuant to Federal Reserve 
Regulation T and Rule 15c3-3 under the Act, since the monitoring of 
such requirements is the obligation of a member's DEA as provided by 
Rule 17d-1 under the Act; \13\ (2) changes from ``monthly'' to ``upon 
request'' the obligation of NASD to share information with NYSE Arca 
regarding notice of changes in allied members, partners, officers, 
registered personnel and other persons, and the opening, address 
change, and termination of main and branch offices and the names of 
branch office managers; \14\ and (3) makes other technical and 
formatting changes, such as renumbering paragraphs and reformatting 
headings.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \13\ 17 CFR 240.17d-1. Further, NYSE Arca represents that it 
currently does not serve as the DEA for any firms that hold or carry 
customer accounts, and therefore does not currently perform any 
duties pursuant to Regulation T and Rule 15c3-3 with respect to 
considering requests for extension of time. See Telephone 
conversation between Greg O'Connor, Director, NYSE Group, Inc., and 
Richard Holley III, Special Counsel, Division of Market Regulation, 
Commission, on March 16, 2007. Additionally, Paragraph 2(c) of the 
July 2006 Plan, as well as the Revised Plan, provides that NYSE Arca 
retains full responsibility for the discharge of its DEA duties and 
obligations. Accordingly, NASD did not undertake any 
responsibilities pursuant to paragraph 11 of the July 2006 Plan and 
the Parties consider the deletion of paragraph 11 to be a non-
material change. See id.
    \14\ See Paragraph 7 of the Revised Plan.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    Included in the Revised Plan is an attachment (``NYSE Arca Rules 
Certification for 17d-2 Agreement with NASD,'' referred to herein as 
the ``Certification'') that lists every NYSE Arca rule and federal 
securities law, rule and regulation thereunder for which, under the 
Revised Plan, NASD would bear responsibility for examining, and 
enforcing compliance by, common members. No changes to the 
Certification are proposed in the Revised Plan.

II. Discussion

    The Commission finds that the Revised Plan is consistent with the 
factors set forth in Section 17(d) of the Act \15\ and Rule 17d-2(c) 
thereunder \16\ in that the Revised Plan is necessary or appropriate in 
the public interest and for the protection of investors, fosters 
cooperation and coordination among SROs, and removes impediments to and 
fosters the development of the national market system. In particular, 
the Revised Plan makes minor changes to the July 2006 Plan and does not 
fundamentally alter the allocation of regulatory responsibilities 
between the Parties that was contained in the July 2006 Plan. 
Additionally, no changes to the Certification are proposed in the 
Revised Plan.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \15\ 15 U.S.C. 78q(d).
    \16\ 17 CFR 240.17d 2(c).
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    As was the case for the July 2006 Plan, the Commission continues to 
believe that the Revised Plan could reduce unnecessary regulatory 
duplication by allocating to NASD certain responsibilities for common 
members that would otherwise be performed by both NYSE Arca and NASD. 
Accordingly, the Revised Plan should promote efficiency by reducing 
costs to common members. Furthermore, because NYSE Arca and NASD will 
coordinate their regulatory functions in accordance with the Revised 
Plan, the Revised Plan should promote investor protection.
    The Commission is hereby declaring effective and approving a plan 
that, among other things, allocates regulatory responsibility to NASD 
for the oversight and enforcement of all NYSE Arca rules that are 
substantially similar to the rules of the NASD for common members of 
NYSE Arca and NASD.

III. Conclusion

    This Order gives effect to the Revised Plan filed with the 
Commission in File No. 4-523. The Parties shall notify all members 
affected by the Revised Plan of their rights and obligations under the 
Revised Plan.
    It is therefore ordered, pursuant to Sections 17(d) and 
11A(a)(3)(B) of the Act, that the Revised Plan in File No. 4-523, 
between NYSE Arca and NASD, filed pursuant to Rule 17d-2 under the Act, 
is approved and declared effective.
    It is therefore ordered that NYSE Arca is relieved of those 
responsibilities allocated to NASD under the Revised Plan in File No. 
4-523.

    For the Commission, by the Division of Market Regulation, 
pursuant to delegated authority. \17\
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \17\ 17 CFR 200.30-3(a)(34).
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

Florence E. Harmon,
Deputy Secretary.
[FR Doc. E7-5637 Filed 3-27-07; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 8010-01-P
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